Cybercrime Investigation Through Digital Forensics: Standards of Evidence and Legal Compliance

The increase in the incidence of cybercrimes, fueled by accelerating developments in information technology, demands the effective use of digital forensics. We present an analysis of the relationship between digital forensics and legal compliance, with particular emphasis on the significance of digital evidence in cybercrimes. And we identify the critical steps in the digital forensic process, highlighting the significance of the integrity of digital evidence in cybercrimes. As cybercrimes are constantly evolving, digital forensic professionals are now using machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the classification and detection of digital evidence. However, new challenges in the use and legitimacy of AI-generated evidence in legal actions have emerged. This paper examines the importance of digital evidence, the use of digital evidence in cybercrimes, the use and significance of standard digital forensic practices, the use of the blockchain in digital forensics, and the significance of cross-jurisdictional legal actions, among other important issues. The major aim of this study is to add new knowledge in the ever-increasing discussions on cybercrimes, digital evidence, and digital forensics.